Environmental Policies

An Eco Friendly Hotel

Eco friendly tourism & sustainability are at the heart of all that we do at The Falls. We are lucky to be situated in one of the most beautiful locations in Ireland (and the world!), in the Cliffs of Moher & Burren UNESCO Geopark, and as a responsible business we believe it is our duty to protect this environment, click here for more information on the Geopark.

Green Programme

At The Falls Hotel & Spa, we’re incredibly proud of our environmental programme and the journey we’ve taken to become a more sustainable and responsible business. Nestled in the stunning Cliffs of Moher & Burren UNESCO Global Geopark, we feel privileged to be surrounded by such natural beauty—and we know it’s our responsibility to help protect it.

Our sustainability journey began in 2016 when we started measuring and recording our carbon emissions monthly. We tracked our waste, water, and energy use, three key areas that contribute heavily to our carbon footprint. At the time, we were producing over 700 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. To put that in perspective, the average Irish home emits around 11 tonnes annually. We knew we had to act.

So, we launched a series of ambitious sustainability initiatives, including energy efficiency upgrades, investing in renewable energy, and introducing carbon offset measures like tree planting on our 50-acre estate. Over five years, we managed to reduce our emissions by an incredible 90%. By the end of 2021, our carbon emissions were down to just 56 tonnes. We offset that remaining amount through local tree planting, and we’re aiming to lower it even further.

One of the most exciting and impactful projects we’ve taken on was the installation of a hydroelectric turbine in the river that flows beside our property. This was a two-year project involving consultations with the county council, environmental specialists, fisheries boards, and hydro power experts. We installed a 220-kilowatt turbine, and when the river is in full flow, it supplies 100% of our electricity needs. This has allowed us to become fully carbon neutral for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which was officially recognised by GreenMark.ie and Green Hospitality Ireland in 2021.

Running on hydro power and using other green practices has significantly reduced our reliance on fossil fuels. We added 90 solar panels on to the roof in 2025, so if the level levels are low, we and the sun shines we will be producing an additional 39kWh of clean energy. Every time someone stays with us, they’re actively helping to reduce their own carbon footprint. It’s something we feel very proud of, and our guests often tell us they appreciate being part of something bigger. We’re constantly evolving our environmental efforts. We’ve aligned our practices with the Burren Ecotourism Network and the Geopark’s Code of Practice. We regularly update our Sustainability Policy to reflect new goals and ensure we’re staying on track. Our entire team is involved in this journey, from management to staff, and we engage with our guests too, offering insights into our hydro turbine and other green initiatives. Sustainability is at the heart of all that we do, reducing waste and conserving water to using renewable energy and supporting biodiversity, we’re committed to making a positive impact. We believe tourism and sustainability can go hand in hand, and at The Falls Hotel, we’re doing everything we can to prove it.